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At ten in the morning on Tuesday, December 17, in Washington, D.C., the US Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on sports betting. The venue for the event is the Dirksen Senate Office Building, specifically Room 226. Since the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling to repeal PASPA, sports betting has become increasingly popular nationwide, and this hearing comes after that.
One of the central figures in this debate, Senator Richard Blumenthal, introduced the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet (SAFE Bet) Act. This legislation aims to implement a federal ban on sports betting while also setting strict requirements for states already involved in the market. Blumenthal, alongside Representative Paul Tonko, presented the bill this fall, seeking to further regulate the expanding industry.
Under SAFE Bet, all 38 states, along with the District of Columbia, currently offering legal sports betting would need to apply for licensing through the US Justice Department. Applications would undergo a review process led by the US Attorney General. This process would include three-year approval periods for each state, ensuring ongoing oversight of the industry.
The sports betting industry in Washington, D.C., has been changing quickly. A budget for new operators was granted by the city earlier this year. In the past, FanDuel was the only company with access to the mobile sports betting market. But by the middle of July, additional big players like Caesars, BetMGM, and DraftKings had joined the market. The District’s sports betting competitive environment saw a dramatic change as a result of these arrivals.
As of October, DC saw a notable increase in sports wagering activity. The city’s Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) reported nearly $65.8 million in total handle for the month, setting a new record. This was the third consecutive month that DC surpassed its previous betting highs. FanDuel, in particular, accounted for over half of the total handle, with more than $37 million wagered through its platform.